Linking remote practice to research: technology in action.

Nursing faculty practices are rarely set up to collect and analyze data, but evidence about the effects and costs of clinical care provided by faculty is required by health plans and other payers. This article describes a strategy that links faculty research programs with practice and teaching activities in various locations. An informatics infrastructure uses a common language for data collection and a set of coherent processes for implementation. The theoretical basis for conducting practice-based research is explored.